Creston’s Taoist Tai Chi starting beginner session

Do you want to improve your balance, build strength and flexibility and develop inner calm in the midst of a busy life? Are you young, busy and stressed? Are you middle aged, stiff and have a sore back? Are you retired and looking for better health and a challenge?

Come to the Taoist Tai Chi beginner class. Tai chi is a gentle set of movements that promote health and well-being for people of all ages and in all health conditions. It originates from an ancient Chinese art and system of holistic health practices which involve the movement of the spine and all parts of the body.

The Fung Loy Kok Taoist Tai Chi Society teaches a “set” of 108 moves designed to help the body regain natural health by strengthening and relaxing both body and mind. The beginner level helps the student develop body awareness and a healthy physical posture by gently moving the body in ways that promote muscular relaxation, body alignment, co-ordination and balance. Beginners also learn the benefits of practicing together as a group to let go of self-consciousness, to work at their own level of physical ability, to trust the group to guide and support them and to have fun.

Continued practice of tai chi will increase circulation of blood and lymphatic fluids, increase overall strength, mobility of joints and the elasticity of muscles and tendons, improve breathing and cardiovascular fitness, enhance concentration and relaxation, reduce tension and stress, and generally improve a wide range of health problems such as poor circulation, high blood pressure, arthritis, back pain, digestive disorders just to name a few.

The style taught by the Fung Loy Kok Taoist Tai Chi Society can be practiced by people of any age or in any state of health. It is a self-regulated form of exercise that lends itself to the needs of all participants. It is non-combative, non-competitive and is practiced for its health improving abilities.

The Taoist Tai Chi Society is a registered charity practicing in 27 countries around the world. Instructors are volunteers who teach as a way of giving back for the benefits they have received.

The first class runs 9:30 a.m.-noon Oct. 19 at St Stephen’s Presbyterian Church hall, 306 Northwest Blvd. in Creston. For more information or to register, contact Lin Martin at 250-866-5744 or creston@taoist.org. More information about the society can be found at www.taoist.org.